Machine for fitting/removing a tyre

Abstract

The machine ( 10 ) for fitting/removing a tyre includes: a bedplate ( 12 ) for resting on the ground; a spindle ( 16 ), mounted on the bedplate and configured to tighten a rim of a wheel thereon; a demounting tool, mounted on the bedplate and able to remove a tyre from the rim when the wheel is loaded on the spindle; a bead breaking arm ( 30 ), movably connected to the bedplate and having a bead breaking tool ( 32 ) able to bead break the tyre from the rim; a lifting member ( 52, 54, 56 ), movably connected to the bedplate and able to lift the wheel to load it on the spindle after bead breaking; and an operating device ( 40 ) which is selectively connectable either to the bead breaking arm or to the lifting member and able to operate the bead breaking arm or the lifting member according to choice.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. Machine ( 10 ) for fitting/removing a tyre, comprising:
 at least a bedplate ( 12 ) for resting on the ground; 
 at least a spindle ( 16 ), mounted on said bedplate ( 12 ) and configured to tighten a rim of a wheel on it; 
 at least a demounting tool ( 14 ), mounted on said bedplate ( 12 ) and able to remove a tyre from said rim when said wheel is loaded on said spindle ( 16 ); 
 at least a bead breaking arm ( 30 ), movably connected to said bedplate ( 12 ) and having a bead breaking tool ( 32 ) able to bead break said tyre from said rim; 
 at least a lifting member ( 52 ,  54 ,  56 ), movably connected to said bedplate ( 12 ) and able to lift said wheel to load it on said spindle ( 16 ) after bead breaking; 
 
       wherein said machine ( 10 ) comprises at least an operating device ( 40 ) which is selectively connectable either to said bead breaking arm ( 30 ) or to said lifting member ( 52 ,  54 ,  56 ) and able to operate said bead breaking arm ( 30 ) or said lifting member ( 52 ,  54 ,  56 ) according to choice. 
     
     
       2. Machine ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said machine ( 10 ) comprises non-permanent coupling means ( 36 ,  42 ) able to connect kinematically said operating device ( 40 ) alternatively either to said bead breaking arm ( 30 ) or to said lifting member ( 52 ,  54 ,  56 ). 
     
     
       3. Machine ( 10 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein said non-permanent coupling means ( 36 ,  42 ) are of the manually operable type. 
     
     
       4. Machine ( 10 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein said machine ( 10 ) comprises an automatic control device able to control the coupling state of said non-permanent coupling means ( 36 ,  42 ). 
     
     
       5. Machine ( 10 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein said operating device ( 40 ) comprises a movable piston. 
     
     
       6. Machine ( 10 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein on said bead breaking arm ( 30 ) is mounted at least a displaceable element ( 36 ) able to selectively hinge said movable piston ( 40 ) in at least one point of said bead breaking arm ( 30 ). 
     
     
       7. Machine ( 10 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein said machine ( 10 ) comprises at least a first flexible element ( 42 ) selectively connectable to said movable piston ( 40 ), said first flexible element ( 42 ) being able to transfer motion to said lifting member ( 52 ,  54 ,  56 ). 
     
     
       8. Machine ( 10 ) according to  claim 7 , wherein said first flexible element ( 42 ) is wound on at least a rotating element ( 44 ,  46 ,  48 ) on which is wound at least a second flexible element ( 50 ) in turn connected to said lifting member ( 52 ,  54 ,  56 ), said flexible elements ( 42 ,  50 ) being wound on said rotating element ( 44 ,  46 ,  48 ) so that one winds when the other unwinds. 
     
     
       9. Machine ( 10 ) according to  claim 8 , wherein said flexible elements ( 42 ,  50 ) comprise two cables wound on pulleys ( 44 ,  48 ) connected by a shaft ( 46 ). 
     
     
       10. Machine ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said bead breaking arm ( 30 ) and said lifting member ( 52 ,  54 ,  56 ) are positioned adjacent on a same lateral side ( 11 ) of said bedplate ( 12 ).